The performance of the week was probably the Maple Tree inflicting only their third defeat of the season on the Penge Tradesmen. No doubt disorientated by an away trip of such ease the Royston boys were beaten by the odd leg in 13 in Maple Road. Fair play to the Maple men as they put in another strong performance in a decent season. The Penge Trades stay in pole position, but so was Scott of the Antarctic, and it is getting tight up there with just 3 points between the top three protagonists going into the last 3 weeks, or as Alex Ferguson and Steve Gerrard would call it 'squeaky bum time'.

In a bad week for local cab firms, the Brick A made the short stroll to Kirkdale and returned triumphant with an impressive 8 - 5 victory from the Fox's den, but drop to third despite this which seems very harsh. The Fox's side lost at home for the fourth time and slide down a place as a consequence and face the trip to Penge Trades next week in a vital match-up. The Brick A may be disappointed to drop from the top two, but need to remember that 'there's many a slip twixt cup and lip' as Charles Kennedy (that stirling patron of the Scotch Whisky industry) used to say, when capable of speech.

Talking of drunks, the Brick B reignited their title tilt with an 11 - 2 win at home to the Brock Soc B. These experienced and solid (old and big-boned) campaigners are not giving up without a fight, unlike George Galloway, and have moved into runners-up spot waiting for a slip from above, while watching their rear with concern as if they were Claire from Steps. The Brick B travel to Bovill Road next week, whilst the Brock Soc B hope for better fortune at home to the Nap B,

Surprising scoreline of the week, well to me anyway, was the Brock Soc A smashing the Nap A by 10 - 3. With the Nap A this season it has been very much a question of which side turns up, with some good results interspersed with some indifferent ones. Clearly they did not have a good evening in SE4. Nevertheless a good performance from the improving Brock Soc A and an impressive haul of doubles, like a night out with Olly Reid and George Best in the 70's. The Brock Soc A travel to the Brick A next time in a crucial end-of-season encounter.

At time of writing, the score from the Nap B/Cat Cyphers match has not been confirmed to me, so I cannot tell if it is as tight at the bottom as it is at the top. But enough about Nicki Minaj's dress sense, I am sure it was a competitive night for the bottom two. The Cyphers entertain the in-form Maple Tree next week in a tough looking ask.

Anyhow, enjoy the rest of the season and like Victoria Beckham, try to make the best of what talent you have.